~To live, love, and journal our days at~

~To live, love, and journal our days at~

Written by Sue, March 24, 2015 Partly sunny temps.60's
Hello dear friends,
Yes, I am a working girl for real, I am getting to use my CNA training, I work two 12 hr. shifts twice a week, at night, I must admit it is a real challenge staying up at night,~smile~. My whole body rhythm is out of sync, that's probably the reason I am writing this post so late tonight, or should I say morning.~grin~

There are only a few things in life that I hate, I don't even like the word hate, but Cancer and Alzheimer's are two things I literally detest. I have dealt with cancer through my Mother's illness, and am very happy to say she is doing so well, (no cancer found with the last surgery,)so much so that she has even gone back to working one day a week. To God be the glory!

The patient that I take care of is battling Alzheimer's, he is one of the sweetest persons I have ever met, a retired minister.I have learned so much lately about this terrible and dreaded disease, of how it affects not only the patient but the family as well, as many of you know, because you have walked this road yourself. When faced with situations in life, I am reminded of God's truth and faithful promises!

Deuteronomy 31:8~The Lord Himself goes before you, and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
The most important thing is to be sure the patients physical needs are met, but a close second and third, is to try and make sure that they keep their "independence" and "dignity" as well! When I come to his home the first thing I ask him is "Did you miss me?' His reply always with a big grin is "Till I'm gone." another favorite time is when I put him to bed and I ask him, "are you ready for your goodnight prayers," he always prays the sweetest prayers, I tuck him in and he goes to sleep fairly quickly, but soon is up again!

It is hard for the family to see their loved one being boxed into a dark and lonely place, my heart really goes out to them,and as a caregiver I have become so attached to both the patient and family, trying to be there for them when the questions seem to roll, especially in the morning when they come over and I have to give an oral and written report of how his night was! it seems that Alzheimer's is so much more evident at night. I love the smiles when I am able to say "He had a good night."

So much has and is happening here at the farm, we are so busy getting things planted for our new season, and lots of new lambs this year too, hoping to share real soon, I truly have missed everyone and think of you so often. I wanted to have a pretty photo to share with this post, hope you enjoy! This rose is for you dear friends!

Written by Sue,Thursday Feb.12,2015 sunny, windy,temps. 50's a great day for a walk!
My Mother is recuperating at home, though the surgery was a little more detailed this time, she is doing well, this morning she is up and wanting to get back to her normal schedule, we are having a hard time getting her to rest, like I said that energy bunny has nothing on her.
A heartfelt "thank you" for your thoughts and prayers, she was so blessed when I told her my friends in blogland were praying., and even more thrilled when some said she looked like Debbie Reynolds, a favorite actress of hers! Tomorrow we go back to see the dr. for the results, asking for more prayers.

OH! the flowers and card were a surprise from her grandson,(my son), I thought he was so thoughtful!, and was told that I had something special coming too!!Whoopie!!
Can't wait to see how beautiful the blooms will be, we could not decide if they were tulips or lilies, either way they will be pretty and bring much joy to Mother! She is hiding her face because she said "I don't have my makeup on," and that is because the surgeon took a spot off her right cheek! I find her to be beautiful any way, because her beauty shines from within.

Enjoy your day,

Love

Sue

Proverbs 31:30~ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Written by Sue, Friday, February 6, 2015 Cloudy with some sun, windy, and cold temps. 40's
Hello Dear Friends,

And where has Sue been, one might ask?
I have been traveling hither and yon, on this journey called "Life"!

We are all on a journey, called "Life". This journey, has taken me on many unexpected roads, and most of these roads were beautiful and smooth sailing, and I would say to myself, "Wow,how wonderful". Oh! how I love those roads with beautiful scenery, soft breezes blowing and meadows filled with beautiful,aromatic flowers, those are the best roads, this is where I get renewed and refreshed!

But some times this journey called "Life" takes me on roads that are bumpy, full of sharp curves,hills, valleys, uncertainty, and yes sometimes places I really don't want to go. When the road gets like this I become afraid, and ask a lot of questions! I want to get off and find another route, but "Life" just will not let me, it seems "Life" wants me to learn,grow, and mature!

As is the case with, Sue, she always asks why?

Here is what I have learned,... the things that happen on this road brings me more into an awareness of why I am here, and how I am suppose to live this "Life"! As I have found out more and more over the past few months.

I think about this journey called "Life" so much, as I reminisce of the roads I have traveled, as I begin to contemplate and plan where I will go and what I will do next, I am sure there will be more beautiful scenic roads than bumpy ones, one thing for sure, I have had a constant companion on this journey, "ONE" who has stood by my side, comforted me, lifted me up and held me when I felt I could longer travel, His name is Heavenly Father! When I began this journey He promised me He would never leave me or forsake me, I can honestly say today, He is a Man of His word!

Deuteronomy 31:8~ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Here is an update on my Mom, she will be having more surgery, Monday, Feb.9th! Please pray for her and her recovery. She has been such a trooper through this ordeal, I stand in awe of how she handles her journey called "life"! Here is an example:

Before and during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, while she was recovering from her first surgery, she took time to make lap quilts, (all hand embroidered) and goodies for some very precious folks who reside at a nursing facility in our community. She has a widow's ministry which she continues to do as well!..... That energizer bunny has nothing on her! ~smile~

All photos on this post are printed with permission by the residents and administrator!

Here she is placing a few dollars in their cards.

Susan and Mr P helping, love this man so much he has faithfully walked this journey called "Life"with me, not once has he wavered!

Mr P. pouring the sodas, see all those gifts, lap quilts and goodies!

Susan giving gifts, she enjoyed this so much.

Mother and Susan make a great team.

Mother, worked so diligently, and was so happy to give, of her time, talent and love!

Are they having fun or what!

New friends!

Mother in her element of doing for others!

This precious gentleman was so sweet he stole my heart!

New found friends! The residents of this nursing facility were so loving and appreciative! We have decided as a family to visit them on a regular basis, with time, love and refreshments,what the residents really want is a little of our love and time!

Here Mother is reminding us all why we celebrate Christmas, she was a Sunday school teacher most of her adult life, and loves sharing her faith!

Love my Mother and and daughter so much.

Here's the gang, We went to be a blessings, but we were the ones who left with our hearts overflowing with joy!

Have you had your hand kissed lately by a Southern, Gentleman? I have,... and was totally caught off guard and overwhelmed with joy!

Though lately I haven't been around in blogland so often, this doesn't mean I have forgotten you my dear friends, I think of you so often, and give thanks to my Heavenly Father for your friendship!
My prayer for you today is that your journey called "life" Is filled with many blessings, and full of fun filled days!

Much love,

Sue

p.s. sorry for such a long post, the odds of me writing a short post are one in a million!~smile~

May your hearts and home be aglow with the warmth and joy, of this most blessed Christmas season. May the peace of God rest on you and your family as you celebrate the season while making life time memories, as you look forward to the beginning a new year!"...Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people'" Luke 2:10Comments are off today!Read more...

Written by Sue, Monday, October 13, 2014 Beautiful, warm, temps.80's
We are having such beautiful fall weather, I was out early this morning chasing butterflies, something I enjoy especially in the fall. I find so much solace in God's beautiful creations, just look at how the color of the butterflies blend with the lantana.

We planted a late garden of green beans, okra, turnips, collards, leaf lettuce, and for the first time arugula.

While in the garden I happen to check the green beans, I think they need picking, you think!

so I did..

After snapping the ends, I washed them, oh!so fresh, I am thinking at this point of how blessed I am to be able to grow these beans with no pesticides,and free fertilizer, (our sheep supplied that) and to know who and what handles them. The most amazing thing is it doesn't take a lot of space, raised beds work so well.

~Steps to canning green beans~

After snapping and rinsing, I fill hot sterilized jars with beans, add 1/2 tsp. salt, fill to neck of jar with very hot water.

take the air bubbles out with the stick,

wipe top of jars with clean, wet cloth

place sterilized lids and caps on jars, and tighten, place in canner, process according to directions. I process mine on 10 lbs. pressure for 15 minutes.

Here they are, it is so unusual for me to be canning beans in the fall, usually beans are canned in June, but the deer ate our first crop, so DH planted these, it took three hours from the time they were picked to sitting on my counter. I think that it a pretty good investment, don't you! yielded 18 pints!

I try and practice this rule... always start and end with a clean kitchen,whether I am cooking, baking or canning this makes the work go so much easier, and have found that when I didn't things took longer and I was easily frustrated. ~grin~ See the little pot, it's got beans in it, that's for dinner tonight.

A personal note....

The bravest person I have ever known,and my hero~

This photo was taken right after a drs. visit, she is so beautiful both inside and out, a source of strength for her family

This summer has brought many changes for us, some I can share, others I will wait. One reason I haven't been around in blogland lately is My dear sweet mother is experiencing a major health crisis, one that took not only her, but her family totally by surprise. She is the bravest person I have ever known, and is fighting this disease as she has with every trial in her life,with grace, dignity, and her unwavering faith in God, Jehovah! The diagnosis.. Breast Cancer! I ask that you pray for her through this journey!

Much love to all my friends,

SueProverbs 31~10~Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

Written by Sue, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 Such a beautiful and pleasant day, temps.80's, Ahh!
Where does one begin again while being so sporadic with keeping her blog updated? I have contemplated this question so much lately, (at one point thought of pushing the delete button), but just couldn't as blogging and blogger friends have become so much a part of my life, so once again I am attempting to journal here in blogland!

This summer, as most summers are on a farm, has been very busy with late to bed and early to rise. Our days begin with devotions, and coffee on the front porch, and always ending in the late evening with another cup of coffee,(decaf) on the back screened in porch( dodging those mosquitoes,) comparing notes of the day's events, and planning the next day's chores.

This summer found a few challenges for me, but as always God is so faithful, he renews my strength from day to day! I have been studying to be certified as a CNA, something I have wanted to do for some time. If I were younger, I would try for the RN degree. ~smile~ Who knows, anything is possible! My mind and spirit are so young, now if my body would get the message maybe we would all be in sync.Ha! Ha! Anyone knowing this lady,(my Mom, mentor) knows this is true.Just look at that smile and those cute socks, she, by example, has always told her children we could be or do anything we wanted to.

When I see DH get the Bush -Hog out and start to clip I know that the fruit and veggie season is drawing to a close, this week as I watched Mr P. mow I had mixed emotions, one was a sigh of relief, glad to take a breather, the other was a little sad as I know my time in the garden,(which I love and enjoy so much) is drawing to a close for this year. However, I still have my herb garden and flower garden so all is not gone, yet. ~smile~

This is an earlier photo, I haven't had much time to work with the herbs lately, and the garden is a little messy. Grin~

One of the best thing for me is, I will once again be able to blog, I have missed this so much, and Dh husband knows this, he is so sweet, the other morning after closing in prayer, and we were about to get going, he said, "I will be glad when this canning is over so you can get back to blogging, I know you have missed it!" OH, how right he was!

So what did I do today?
I finished the tomatoes for this season, Whoopee!! I made tomato salsa, and canned tomatoes.This is the best salsa evah! Daughter Susan gave it to me, and everyone knows SA Texas makes the best Salsa, the recipe comes from a dear Hispanic grandmother who operated a restaurant!

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Feedjit

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No matter where I go, I always love turning the key and hearing that clicking sound in the lock of our back door . Even if I have only gone shopping, I am so happy to be home.

Did you know that every home has its own scent, the first thing I do is sniff the air, and I offer a quiet prayer of thankfulness, and for safety.

My decorating style is my own, I decorate with the colors and treasures that are me. One of the things that I have enjoyed about blogging is the difference in how we all view the world, and our homes. Just like our Creator made each of us to be unique, we create our own unique styles and colors in our own homes. I have learned so much from you and enjoyed your homes so much, and have learned so much about you from your homes...

I truly believe that God wants us to have a safe haven to come home too, a place we can claim as our own,... just like us, homes come in all shapes and sizes if love is there it is our home.., if our things are there it is our home. When we add our own personal touches, it is our home

Home is a place we can go to when the storms of life are raging. I often listen to the wind and rain when it is coming down hard and am reminded of the safety of our sheltering home. It is the one place that we control what and who comes in, (well,most of the time. lol)

Sometimes late at night, when I am unable to sleep I will get up and as I am walking across the room, I hear the floor creek beneath my feet, I go, sit, and listen to other sounds that my home makes, a pop here and there in the wall, it is like the wall is talking to me. A home not only has its own scent, but it also has its own sound. I truly believe that a home takes on its own personality, US!!

So why this blog?....

I wanted a place that I could come, talk about, and share of how my day was spent here at the "farmhouse", and about the things that I do to make it a "home". Making a house a home is a lifetime endever, and I might add a joy, as our lives are always changing.